What is the University College London Acceptance Rate?
University College London (UCL), London’s global university, is a highly reputable university known for its multidisciplinary excellence. This is reflected in its rankings; it is ranked as the 8th best university in the world (QS 2027). It is included in the elite G5 group of some of the top universities in the UK.
Gaining admission to such a prestigious institution is highly competitive and attracts the most talented and driven individuals. The acceptance rates at UCL, however, vary by program and degree level. Understanding these acceptance rates provides valuable insights into the competitiveness of UCL’s admissions and helps prospective students gauge their chances of a successful application to study at UCL.
Whether you are a student aiming to apply to UCL or a parent supporting your child through the application process, read on to discover more about the UCL acceptance rates and how we can help you boost your chances of submitting a successful application.
Applying to UCL? Read our in-depth guides on the application process to give yourself an edge:
The Recent History of UCL Acceptance Rates
In recent years, UCL’s acceptance rates have mirrored the university’s rising popularity and stringent admissions standards. As one of the top institutions globally, UCL has seen a significant increase in the number of applications, largely driven by its reputation for cutting-edge research, diverse academic programs, and location (situated in the heart of London.)
After the offer rate fell drastically from 51.3% in 2020/21 to a low of 24.9% in 2023/24, it has since risen, and now sits at 43.4%. The data from University College London admissions shows undergraduate offer and acceptance rates over time:
| Year | Applications | Offers | Places | Offer rate | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | 89,293 | 38,696 | 9,138 | 43.4% | 10.2% |
| 2024/25 | 77,828 | 26,253 | 7,682 | 33.7% | 9.9% |
| 2023/24 | 79,082 | 19,676 | 7,001 | 24.9% | 8.9% |
| 2022/23 | 76,100 | 22,500 | 6,288 | 29.6% | 8.5% |
| 2021/22 | 69,000 | 25,000 | 6,043 | 36.2% | 8.8% |
| 2020/21 | 61,000 | 31,300 | 5,905 | 51.3% | 9.7% |
| 2019/20 | 55,000 | 26,356 | Unknown | 47.9% | Unknown |
*Here, and throughout this guide, we are defining the offer rate as the % of applicants who were offered a place by UCL. The acceptance rate – the number who then took up that place – is lower: some accept places at other universities, others intend to accept their UCL offer but miss their grades.
Of course, offer and acceptance rates vary across all degrees offered at UCL. We will explore this in more detail in the following sections.
UCL Acceptance Rates by Faculty, 2025/26
There are eleven different faculties offering undergraduate courses at University College London. Breaking down the acceptance rates by faculty offers some interesting insights into your chances of being accepted to UCL.
| Faculty | Applications | Offers | Offer rate | Places | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities | 9002 | 5946 | 66.1% | 1315 | 14.6% |
| Brain Sciences | 3025 | 1141 | 37.7% | 285 | 9.4% |
| Built Environment | 4678 | 1509 | 32.3% | 455 | 9.7% |
| Engineering Sciences | 22576 | 6388 | 28.3% | 1555 | 6.9% |
| Education | 4829 | 3312 | 68.6% | 661 | 13.7% |
| Laws | 4552 | 637 | 14.0% | 200 | 4.4% |
| Life Sciences | 7754 | 3196 | 41.2% | 820 | 10.6% |
| Mathematical and Physical Sciences | 15427 | 7347 | 47.6% | 1397 | 9.1% |
| Medical Sciences | 4036 | 2117 | 52.5% | 624 | 15.5% |
| Population Health Sciences | 1692 | 1293 | 76.4% | 277 | 16.4% |
| Social and Historical Sciences | 11668 | 5810 | 49.8% | 1549 | 13.3% |
From this data, we can see that the offer rates vary widely by faculty – from 14.0% to 76.4% – with acceptance rates ranging from 4.4% to 16.4%.
Law is by far the most competitive Faculty at UCL, with an offer rate of 14.0% and an acceptance rate of just 4.4%, while Population Health Sciences has the highest offer and acceptance rates.
UCL Degrees with the Lowest Acceptance Rates, 2025/6
| Degree | Applications | Offers | Offer rate | Places | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCL School of Management – International Management | 2772 | 318 | 11.5% | 80 | 2.9% |
| Slade School of Fine Art | 1294 | 163 | 12.6% | 77 | 6.0% |
| Laws | 4552 | 637 | 14.0% | 200 | 4.4% |
| Architecture | 3233 | 539 | 16.7% | 256 | 7.9% |
| Statistical Sciences | 4683 | 847 | 18.1% | 215 | 4.6% |
| Computer Science | 4006 | 805 | 20.1% | 228 | 5.7% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 4457 | 943 | 21.2% | 235 | 5.3% |
| Psychology | 1918 | 436 | 22.7% | 139 | 7.2% |
| School of Pharmacy | 2223 | 540 | 24.3% | 200 | 9.0% |
| Electronic & Electrical Engineering | 2200 | 545 | 24.8% | 139 | 6.3% |
The hardest degrees to get into at UCL come from a wide mix of disciplines. International Management has the lowest offer and acceptance rate of any degree at UCL (11.5% offer rate and 2.9% acceptance rate).
In second place, surprisingly, given that it is part of the faculty with one of the highest acceptance rate, is Fine Arts, with an acceptance rate of 6% and an offer rate of 12.6%. Other highly competitive degrees include Law, Architecture, Statistical Sciences, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology.
For more information on the offer and acceptance rates for Medicine at UCL, and how they compare to other top universities, take a look at our G5 Medicine acceptance rates guide.
UCL Degrees with Highest Offer Rates, 2025/26
| Degree | Applications | Offers | Offer rate | Places | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Studies | 287 | 265 | 92.3% | 26 | 9.1% |
| Medical Physics – Medical Physics | 204 | 186 | 91.2% | 30 | 14.7% |
| Education, Society and Culture BA | 675 | 594 | 88.0% | 135 | 20.0% |
| Greek & Latin | 285 | 250 | 87.7% | 60 | 21.1% |
| Science & Technology Studies | 447 | 392 | 87.7% | 78 | 17.5% |
| Risk & Disaster Reduction | 261 | 223 | 85.4% | 74 | 28.4% |
| Institute of the Americas | 259 | 221 | 85.3% | 85 | 32.8% |
| Geography | 971 | 813 | 83.7% | 221 | 22.8% |
| Institute of Archaeology | 421 | 352 | 83.6% | 99 | 23.5% |
| Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care | 359 | 298 | 83.0% | 77 | 21.5% |
The degrees with the highest offer rates at UCL all offer places to more than 50% of applicants. The highest acceptance rate of any degree is Information Studies, with more than 92% of applicants being made offers (though only 9% take up a place). Medical Physics, Education, Society and Culture, and Greek & Latin also give offers to more than 85% of applicants.
The degrees above may be considered the easiest to get into at UCL.
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Factors that Influence Acceptance Rates
The most significant factor influencing acceptance rates at UCL is, of course, academic performance of applicants. UCL prioritises high grades and strong standardised test scores, often using a ‘cut-off’ value, below which they will not regard an applicant’s application. This is to ensure that all students will be able to thrive in its rigorous programs. The competitiveness of specific programs also plays a crucial role, where courses in high-demand fields, including the likes of medicine, law and architecture, typically have lower acceptance rates due to the volume of applicants and the limited number of places available.
Acceptance rates are not only influenced by academic achievement, however, as numerous other factors come into play in determining annual acceptance rates for each specific course. Of particular note are demographic factors, including the balance of international versus domestic applicants, where UCL maintains a balanced and diverse student body, the number of deferred entries from the preceding year and also annual changes in application volume. Additional factors influencing acceptance rates include things such as:
- The increasingly competitive applicant pool, with an increasing number of high-achieving applicants demonstrating academic excellence as well as a wide range of extracurricular hobbies;
- Increasing application volume as UCL is ranked higher as a global educational institution each year, increasing its prestige and reputation.
In general, these factors tend to intertwine to lower acceptance rates year-on-year.
Read our guide on how to get into UCL to learn more about the application process and how you can an advantage.
The Latest UCL Admission Cycle
The 2025/26 UCL admissions cycle saw a continuation of the trend from the previous year, where competition was slightly reduced.
UCL has 11 faculties of education, each attracting a high number of applicants per available spot. Details of the applicants (in the most recent admissions cycle) per place available are listed below:
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities: 6.8 applicants per place
- Faculty of Brain Sciences: 10.6 applicants per place
- Faculty of the Built Environment: 10.3 applicants per place
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences: 14.5 applicants per place
- Institute of Education: 7.3 applicants per place
- Faculty of Law: 22.8 applicants per place
- Faculty of Life Sciences: 9.5 applicants per place
- Faculty of Mathematical And Physical Sciences: 11.0 applicants per place
- Faculty of Medical Sciences: 6.5 applicants per place
- Faculty of Population Health Sciences: 6.1 applicants per place
- Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences: 7.5 applicants per place
A more detailed breakdown of the 2025/26 admissions cycle can be found here.
Holistic Admissions Process
UCL enlists a holistic admissions process aimed at evaluating applicants based on a broad range of factors, beyond just academic achievements. Their comprehensive admissions approach includes a thorough review of personal statements, which allows candidates to convey their passions, motivations, and suitability for their chosen program.
Although academic excellence is most heavily weighted, an applicant’s demonstration of involvement in extracurricular activities and relevant experiences are also assessed, highlighting leadership skills, creativity, and their likely commitment to the UCL community. By enlisting a holistic approach UCL ensures that its student body is not only academically capable but also dynamic and multifaceted.
How does the UCL Acceptance Rate Compare with Other Russell Group Universities?
The acceptance rate at UCL is generally competitive when compared with other Russell Group universities, reflecting its status as one of the top institutions in the UK. However, its offer rat is lower than other top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London. Other Russell Group universities, such as the University of Edinburgh, also maintain rigorous admission standards, though their acceptance rates may be slightly higher than those of UCL. You can read our full guide to Russell Group universities’ acceptance rates for more information.
A direct comparison of overall acceptance rates between universities needs to be done with caution, as each course on offer has varying acceptance rates. You can find details of each of these acceptance rates from the UCL admissions website or for specific academic cycles, such as the 2025/26 cycle, here.
How can Dukes Plus Help you Succeed?
At Dukes Plus, we provide support for applications to various universities across the world, including UCL. Our programs offer personalised guidance, and strategic advice to strengthen your UCL application.
We can support you to identify and showcase your unique strengths, align your application with UCL’s values, and effectively communicate your accomplishments and potential contributions to the admissions committee.
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Sources
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/sites/prospective_students_undergraduate/files/undergraduate_application_data_2025-26.pdf
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/sites/prospective_students_undergraduate/files/ug_apps_per_place_2024-25.pdf
Author
Ishwa Salim , Oxbridge Applications Consultant